Commissioner Mike Fitzpatrick spent 22 years as a city firefighter-paramedic. He also served as the treasurer for the Boynton Beach FireFighters & Paramedics Local 1891 for seven years and chaired the political committee for 10 years, which he founded.

Having that union endorse him this year for reelection in Boynton Beach could be viewed as a slam dunk.

But his call of pension reform for the city’s firefighters, police and general employees added fuel to an already brewing fire.

Instead, the coveted endorsement went to a political newcomer: self-described mother, entrepreneur and educator Christina Romelus.

“The pensions have sucked up every new property tax dollar plus another $37 million,” Fitzpatrick said.